Potters no match for Ladies

Rovers Ladies returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion with a 4-1 victory at home to Stoke City.

After seeing their 10-match unbeaten run come to an end against Coventry City, Gemma Donnelly’s side bounced back in the perfect manner, to remain hot on the heels of the league leaders.

The hosts got off to the worst possible start, falling behind with little over a minute on the clock. Rovers failed to clear their lines from a free-kick and Meg Bowyer smashed home the opener from close range.

Rovers remained on the back foot in the early exchanges, until they grabbed the equalising goal just before the quarter-hour mark. Katie Anderton worked the play out wide to Danielle Sheen, whose ball across the box ran through to Amie Fleming, who fired home.

The home side then took the lead on 27 minutes. Sheen was again the provider, picking out Kaz Boyle on the edge of the box and the former Everton forward finished into the bottom corner.

Ten minutes later and Sheen made it a hat-trick of assists, as Fleming’s smart run drew the defence out wide and Jess Holbrook snuck into the empty space to poke the ball home.

Sheen got the goal her display deserved on 53 minutes, as substitute Sophie Jones played a perfect through ball and the striker slotted past the keeper.

“Up until our first goal, we were decidedly shaky,” said Donnelly. “After that, we created plenty of chances and it was great to see our goals come from different sources.

“It was a pleasing performance, which highlights that the Coventry defeat was a one-off and it gave them a kick up the backside. It is good confidence boost ahead of our game against Sporting Club Albion at the weekend.”